ShopDreamUp AI ArtDreamUp
Deviation Actions
Literature Text
1
To learn a little about Tao
Take what I write into your heart
And laugh
To learn much about Tao
Take what I don't write into your heart
And laugh some more
2
We speak of baffling things as if they were simple
And simplicity baffles us
If Tao were confusing
The West would know about it
3
Tao is everywhere, we do not limit it
A man may live his life as a fool and know not of Tao
But today learn of it
And tomorrow teach it
Wisdom is great where there is discipline
Often greater where there is none
4
I took two copies of the Tao Te Ching out from the library.
I examined the first book. It was thin, a traditional translation. The translator's notes were brief. I said, "I will keep this book and learn its lessons."
I examined the second book. It was thick and contemporary, a scholarly edition. It was supplemented with several essays. I went back to the library and returned it, for I had already learned the only lesson this book contained:
An essay about Tao
Is a trap to catch the wind
5
Ask a cat to explain wu wei
Listen to his answer and be enlightened
6
We call nature's stability "chaos"
But simplicity gives birth to asymmetry
And balance accentuates imbalance
7
A fool ignores the yin and yang
But a wise man doesn't even notice them
To learn a little about Tao
Take what I write into your heart
And laugh
To learn much about Tao
Take what I don't write into your heart
And laugh some more
2
We speak of baffling things as if they were simple
And simplicity baffles us
If Tao were confusing
The West would know about it
3
Tao is everywhere, we do not limit it
A man may live his life as a fool and know not of Tao
But today learn of it
And tomorrow teach it
Wisdom is great where there is discipline
Often greater where there is none
4
I took two copies of the Tao Te Ching out from the library.
I examined the first book. It was thin, a traditional translation. The translator's notes were brief. I said, "I will keep this book and learn its lessons."
I examined the second book. It was thick and contemporary, a scholarly edition. It was supplemented with several essays. I went back to the library and returned it, for I had already learned the only lesson this book contained:
An essay about Tao
Is a trap to catch the wind
5
Ask a cat to explain wu wei
Listen to his answer and be enlightened
6
We call nature's stability "chaos"
But simplicity gives birth to asymmetry
And balance accentuates imbalance
7
A fool ignores the yin and yang
But a wise man doesn't even notice them
Suggested Collections
Featured in Groups
What is Taoism? Is it a religion or a philosophy? There are people for whom it is one of those, but I believe at its core it is neither - it's simply a useful, profound, and fun way of looking at the world.
Tao doesn't have an exegesis. (If it had feelings, it'd probably be hurt that I even used it in the same sentence as a four-syllable word.) There's no need for pretense or logic or big words - if Tao gives you a headache, you're looking at it the wrong way.
And so, when Tao is written about, it is in the form of aphorisms and riddles and anecdotes like these; it can't be told, but it can be shown. (See 4.)
This is a collection of seven thoughts I have written down over the past few days as I've been starting to study the teachings of Laozi. I hope they are well met.
(By the way, if you're wondering what wu wei means: [link] )
Tao doesn't have an exegesis. (If it had feelings, it'd probably be hurt that I even used it in the same sentence as a four-syllable word.) There's no need for pretense or logic or big words - if Tao gives you a headache, you're looking at it the wrong way.
And so, when Tao is written about, it is in the form of aphorisms and riddles and anecdotes like these; it can't be told, but it can be shown. (See 4.)
This is a collection of seven thoughts I have written down over the past few days as I've been starting to study the teachings of Laozi. I hope they are well met.
(By the way, if you're wondering what wu wei means: [link] )
© 2007 - 2024 pifactorial
